Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has learned that its grant application to the Apache Corporation has been selected. LCG applied for a donation of more than 800 trees.

The 800 trees were spread across three projects. The first provides 63 trees for the Atakapa-Ishak multi-purpose trail, the first phase of which will run from Parc Sans Souci downtown out to Beaver Park (roughly 2 miles). The trail will utilize shared roadways and feature a half-mile bike lane along General Mouton. Phase 1 of the trail is expected to be completed and open for users this fall. The added trees are expected to help enhance the natural beauty of the trail and provide shade for the trail users.

Additionally, Apache's Corporate Outreach Program awarded LCG with $7,500 toward the purchase of a water trailer to assist with maintenance of the newly acquired trees, once planted.The second project was to secure 50 trees as part of the McComb-Veazey Neighborhood 12th Street Redevelopment Plan. As the main street of the neighborhood, 12th street is targeted as the first step of streetscape improvements.

Finally, an additional 700 seedlings will be held in a nursery until maturity to be planted in public spaces.

The grant application was a collaboration between several LCG departments as well as the offices of other local governments. Partners included the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and the Bayou Vermilion District as well as the Lafayette Consolidated Government's Department of Public Works, Traffic and Transportation, and Community Development, and other community agencies.

"I commend the staff of LCG as well as our partners for working hard to secure these trees, and I am grateful to Apache Corporation for this donation. This donation is great for Lafayette and helps us to continue to be recognized for keeping our community beautiful," said City-Parish President Joey Durel in a statement.

Apache Corporation has previously awarded tree grants to entities in Lafayette. An award to the Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation resulted in the crape myrtles that line the I-10 and University Avenue interchange. Other previous Lafayette-area beneficiaries include Comeaux High School, Ridge Elementary, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Evangeline Area Council Boy Scouts

Consolidation

The Charter Commission has recommended a change in consolidation. It would keep the services we receive consolidated, keeping the efficiencies we now have. But it would divide the government into a pure parish government and a pure city government for Lafayette.
Do you support the Charter Commission's recommendation?